Life Cycles - A London bike courier decided to cycle around the world. 169 days later, he came back with a world record.

I read a lot of adventure style books but this one really stands out. It is utterly brilliant. If you are expecting whole chapters on kit choice, logistical planning and training schedules you have come to the wrong place. If however you are looking for an honest observation of the world we live in through the eyes of somebody who is sleeping in the dirt, who's only real short term goals are to acquire food and to accrue mileage and who can be relied upon not to embellish, I think you are in for a treat. Most cycle adventure books I read actually leave me feeling pretty sad. The author taking time to publicly bad mouth people who had in some way actually tried to help them, but in the eyes of the 'adventurer' had somehow hindered them in their most noble of quests, after all nothing else in the world mattered more to them than the challenge they had set themselves. Life Cycles is very different in this respect. This book is littered with tales of compassion an human kindness. Some may find Julian's opinions harsh but it is difficult to argue with his logic, one instance that springs to mind is when he encountered an impoverished family in the US who told racist jokes. Instead of criticising the family in question Julian recognised why they behaved they way they did and who was truly responsible. I think whether you enjoy this book will depend upon where you are in your life. Many are unable or unwilling to identify a world outside of their job, their house, their finance agreements and if they are lucky, an annual holiday. However if you have begun to question the value and true cost of such a lifestyle both to the outside world and to your own wellbeing you should really give this book a read. Julian meets some amazing people on his travels and there are some really emotional moments. I found it positive, inspirational and full of hope. Frank

Tricky, as this is unlike any other cyclist's story I've read so far. To quote the author, "... ride a bicycle and never write a word about the thing..." and "I'm self-contained, live deep inside my own head, forever deliberating..." There was a lot of deliberating during the 100-odd miles a day - terrific achievement, by the way - but I did miss the expected more usual routine/s of a cycling trip. It was a long trip and a long read. Extremely well written and I imagine the ability to write so effectively can transmit to other books, if he so chooses.

I read this and Mark Beaumont’s “The Man Who Cycled The World” more or less back to back. The contrast illuminates both books (and Beaumont’s suffers from the comparison) as it should, for Sayerer was inspired by Beaumont. Or perhaps ‘provoked’ is the right word. Sayerer spent his childhood in Leicestershire and seems to have grown up on a bike. Unwilling to put his good education to the service of a corrupt corporate culture, he decided to get paid for doing what he loved, and worked as a London bike courier. He also rode for pleasure, breathing in the exhilaration of spinning through the countryside powered by one’s own legs and lungs, seeing life on the land, also a part of it. What goes by the name of ‘cycle touring’ acquaints one with the world without protecting one from it. It is a step down from pilgrimage, but only one step. Beaumont’s record-setting feat offended Sayerer deeply. Beaumont – by his own account not a cyclist – had taken on setting the round-the-world cycling record as a physical and mental challenge, a way of marking himself in the world. His book is an expansion of his diary: how he prepared for the feat, where he went, how he got on, how his mother supported him with advice, money and help arranged from England. Beaumont’s sponsored ride round the world had taken a way of being out in the world, open to its wonders and people, and turned it into an obstacle to be overcome, a personal challenge to be conquered. (It also raise the predictable money for charities that Beaumont remembers to mention in his book.) Sayerer was outraged to see what he loved perverted into an obstacle for the ego to surmount. Unwisely he resolved to right this wrong. He set out, unsponsored and unsupported, with two grand in the bank, to confiscate Beaumont’s title. Over and over he regrets his quest. The path to the east was partly familiar from previous rides to Istanbul. But he stayed north, crossing the great open spaces of Ukraine before the even vaster spaces of the Asian steppe through Kazakhstan to China, down the American West Coast to Mexico, across the southern states, up to Boston just in time for his flight to Spain and the home run to Paris. There are lyrical passages of great beauty. His descent of the Oregon and California coasts, and a 30-mile coast out of the mountains into the Sonoran desert. He is moved even more by people, the impossible views and heart-warming generosity of Texans. There are passages of madness as he rides late into the nights racing to his unmissable Boston flight, arriving sleepless in Manhattan after a 330 mile ride then going out to party downtown with his hosts. He has little to say about the hardships: sleeping in concrete drainage pipes under the Kazakh highway; riding his loaded tour bike one legged for 50 miles when a crank breaks. These are mere irritations in his quest to see the world. And it’s not the hardships that make him regret his project, it’s the stupidity of circling the world on a bike at speed instead of taking time with people and places. This is not a manual for adventure cycling. He has little to say about equipment or technique. In the end it’s not the athleticism or endurance that stays with you or even Sayarer’s heroic determination; it’s his fierce joy in the beauty of the world and meeting some of the rest of us in it that leaves me wanting to straddle the saddle again and get out there myself. And the hell with records.

I thought I had better update my earlier, rather scathing review. I pressed on through the cliches and interesting English in the first quarter of the book. The author finally settles down and more the most part has produced an enjoyable tale of his journey around the world. Definitely worth persevering with. It's not perfect, and there are huge gaps but worth a punt...

I have not quite finished reading this book yet but have found it so compelling that can't put it down! Lacks some detail of what bikers generally look for i.e. mechanicals and all the minor nuances of bike riding but gives sufficient info around the major happenings. Quite deep in places but once into the swing the writers character comes through. Like most of us he has pre conceived ideas and impressions about certain countries and their people but finds real warmth in those he actually meets. An interesting view on China and a surprising one in some ways?His tenacity and effort cannot be denied. I wonder how you come down from a trip like this? Good read and well worth the money.Would highly suggest reading.

As the headlines says,utter madness to take on the challenge,but makes for a compelling read,many of these type of books end up being a mileage list and what the rider did that day,this is not one of those books,it's well written,painfully honest and makes you feel you were on the journey with him,well worth a read

I loved this. Must have read it twice - at least - as in read a passage - and re-read the same passage - often! It's about cycling...not. It's about touring...not. Yes it is! Ok - it's about a lot of things. Each time I opened it I found something new. Sometimes - on the point of skipping a very descriptive para I'd stop myself - go back - and be rewarded with detail I'm so pleased I didn't miss. I cried too. I know Julian. He worked hard at this. he didn't compromise unless given no option. Hence it's a Julian book....and that's a good thing. So buy it, read it - eat it - slowly - digest every eyeful!

Couldn't get into it properly, too much waffle. Goes into too much detail in irrelevant things. I stopped at about 7% in. Probably a good book as the title states its about life cycles more than cycling. I was looking for the adventure of the circumnavigation but the book seems to be for readers interested in lifestyle change issues or guide away from reality.

If you want a sense of how ordinary people live around the world in places you might not have heard of, this is a great travelogue. Told in diary form, as a reader you share the grit and heat and wind and rain experienced by someone biking around the globe. Along the way, Sayarer meets a variety of people who generally reinforce a positive view of humanity as they help him survive and also meet his deadline to complete his journey. The book is very readable, easy to pick up again and again. I would like to read the author's account of a voyage he may take where he spends more time with the people he meets, not driven by a time deadline. His experience here is fascinating and you will cheer him on as he pushes himself towards his quite amazing goal.